This Week’s Reflection
“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, restoring the soul.” ~Psalm 19:7
Jesus came to restore lives. He came to restore the lives of individuals and communities. As we continue to “Follow the Star” to launch 2022, our scripture for this Sunday shows Jesus bringing restoration through his ministry as he “returned in the power of the Holy Spirit to Galilee, and his reputation spread throughout the region” (Luke 4:14). As Jesus taught in Galilean synagogues, his message was so restorative that loud praise erupted from open hearts.
We don’t know exactly what Jesus taught in these various synagogues, except for what he said in his hometown of Nazareth: “The Spirit of our God is upon me: because the Most High has anointed me to bring Good News to those who are poor. God has sent me to proclaim liberty to those held captive, restoration of sight to those who are blind, and release to those in prison” (Luke 4: 18). Jesus states his purpose, and his source for accomplishing his purpose.
Jesus embodied the power of love with a gracious heart that was free from the love of power. As spiritual writer Robert Brearley notes, Luke describes Jesus beginning his ministry with the guidance of the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit came and taught Jesus what was real: to say no to the false options and temptations in this world and yes to God’s good purposes for all people; to say no to self-glory in all its forms and yes to helping the poor and the captured of all kinds; to say no to trying to get your God to work for you and yes to working for your God with urgency and compassion.”
This Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern on livestream, and later on demand, we will consider the power of Jesus to restore.
To spiritually prepare for Sunday, I invite you to join me in this prayer: “God, help me to use the gifts you’ve given me to bring restoration to others. When I become self-focused, guide me to back to wholeness, to fully loving myself and loving others. And so it is. Amen.”
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Senior Pastor
Our church building is closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Our COVID-19 Advisory Team and Board of Directors will re-evaluate community risk after New Year’s.
2021 Giving Statements Are Coming Soon.
MCCDC church administrator and assistant treasurer are preparing your giving statement for tax year 2021. Giving statements will be emailed in phases between January 17, 2022, and March 4, 2022.
For those who do not have a working email address on file or who do not have access to email, the 2021 giving statement will be sent out via postal mail. Please contact churchoffice@mccdc.com if you have questions.
c19 Test Kits and More
Visit covidtests.gov to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests via USPS. Every household can order four tests.
The federal government is also making N95 masks available for free. These will be distributed through pharmacies and community health centers. CVS, Walgreens and Whitman-Walker have all said they’ll announce more details when available.
You may also want to download a free contact exposure tracking app for your smartphone. These are available for the District, Maryland and Virginia and use location-based technology to notify you if you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive.
Writers’ Ministry
Our Writers’ Ministry meets this Saturday,February 19th at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Click here for the Zoom link and contact Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com for more information.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Bob Jones & Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem & Jerry Giem’s son, Jason and nephew, Travis • Valeria Myers’ daughter Chantelle & son Donald• Michelle Lax • George Kerr, III • Dr. Veronica Franklin • Celecila Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith health. Rose Williams continue healing• Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • •Marcus Garnett • Renee Valentine & Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Delores Fowler • Evelyn Jones • Steve Sloane • Glenn Conrad • Anthony Goode • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Kim Battle • ABilly Jones-Hennin • Bill Campbell • Mark Kelly • Joshua Benkins’ prayers for health of Father Isaac David Benkins • Elaine Durden-Hunter asks for prayers of healing for her dog, Angel • Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, •Earline T. Green, •Angela Terrell,• Maria Hill •Marvin White’s step mother passed of COVID19• Tim Helm • Micheal Washington
“Church Ministries & Events”
Virtual Choir
Come and join the Virtual Voices of MCC Choir! Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. For more info, email Music Minister Deidre Mouton Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com.
Spiritual Gifts, Get Involved!
Your’re invited to consider sharing your spiritual gifts by making a Scripture Reading Video or sharing a Video Testimony on what MCCDC means to you.
It does not have to be long and the AV team is standing by to help you with the video. Please email me at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information.
Moving Spirit Dance Ministry
Come dance for God! No experience needed. Email Cathy Batson at cathybatson1@verizon.net for more information. Check out past performances on our YouTube channel, including “I Can Only Imagine” (April 2019) and “Mighty River”(February 2018).
Singing to God
Join the Virtual Voices of the MCC Choir. Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. Email Music Minister Diedre Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com
JOIN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7078722334
Meeting ID: 707 872 2334
The dial in is 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 7078722334
Intercessory Prayer Team
Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month at 7 pm
Contact LaMar Jenkins at 202-750-08887
Bible Study Tuesdays at 7:00 pm Eastern
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/434566329
or Dial: (301) 715-8592 ,Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for more information.
Pastoral Care Meeting
Meet 1st and 3rd Wednesday, each month at 6::30pm
Contact pastoralcare@mccdc.com for more information or interest in joining this vibrant church ministry this Fall
Writer’s Ministry
The MCCDC Writers’ Ministry mission is to offer to our church and the world more reflections and devotionals throughout the year. If you’d like to join this project, now or in the future, please contact Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
